Skype for Business 2019 Server support from Microsoft

Businesses that have recently implemented Skype for Business 2019 Server need not worry that they have to migrate away immediately. Microsoft has committed to supporting SfB Server 2019 until at least 2024.

Tom Arbuthnot, Modality Systems, updated his blog on June 15th 2019, to confirm Skype for Business Server, Exchange Server and SharePoint Server 2019 Mainstream support has now been extended by 3 months to January 2024.

Skype for Business 2019 will remain supported when Skype for Business Online goes end of life

For on-premises Skype for Business users that upgrade to Skype for Business 2019 Server, here are some considerations highlighted by Microsoft:

In-place upgrades supported when upgrading to Skype for Business Server 2015 won’t be supported with Server 2019

Upgrade side by side from Lync 2013 or Skype for Business Server 2015 remains supported

Pre-requisites: Windows Server 2016 & SQL 2016

Side by side deployment with Cloud Connector Edition (CCE) remains supported

The urge to move from Skype for Business Server 2015 is provoked by the likelihood that updates and features will eventually stop being rolled out to previous versions.

Microsoft should communicate a date for this in the future.

SfB Server 2015 vs SfB Server 2019

For SfB admins and architects running SfB Server 2015, there are some key differences to call out:

The SQL back end changes from Mirror and Always On to simply Always On

More cloud features are introduced in SfB Server 2019 (and will likely continue to be introduced) like auto attendant and call data connector

You don’t have to move to Microsoft Teams immediately

Reports and shared experiences suggest that this has only happened to sub-500-seat tenants with no or minimal usage.

Tenants outside of this criteria but using SfB Online will be able to continue doing so until they complete their transition to Microsoft Teams.

That means you don’t need to rush your decision.

Skype for Business 2019 Server is not impacted by the automatic upgrades

Microsoft has confirmed the end of life date for Skype for Business Online as 31st July 2021.

Microsoft confirmed that the roadmap for bringing Skype for Business Online features and functionality into Microsoft Teams is now complete.

This is not to say that moving from Skype for Business 2019 Server to Microsoft Teams needs to be rushed either.

Microsoft has committed to supporting on-premises and hybrid models for years to come.

When you decide the time is right to migrate, Microsoft has outlined a migration path for users and admins.

Many Microsoft partners have also developed their own materials to walk you through the process of migrating from Skype to Teams. If you take additional Skype for Business services, you should check with them to see that any add-ons will remain supported.

Skype to Teams

Make sure Microsoft Teams is interoperable with your other apps

When you do decide to migrate to Microsoft Teams, you will likely have a handful (or more) of other messaging apps in your business.

Why does this matter?

By rolling out Microsoft Teams to users already using apps like Slack and Cisco Webex Teams, you are encouraging them to over-collaborate.

You need to ensure interoperability is high on your requirements list.

One example of this, highlighted in Okta’s “Businesses at Work” report for 2019, tells a compelling story.

“Over 28% are chatting on Slack. Nearly 24% are connecting with their colleagues on Zoom. And over 28% of Okta’s Office 365 customers are “double bundling” themselves, subscribing to G Suite as well.”

If this is a scenario know in your company (and it could be unknown but definitely happening), there are several solutions that you could implement.

[…] 1.00pm Angela Boss and Kerri Hollis from Microsoft run a session on Transitioning from Skype for Business to Microsoft Teams in the Microsoft Technologies Theatre. One for all admins and Microsoft architects to get involved with, if you’re considering moving from Skype to Teams. […]